Chapter 17
DAMON
“Whose idea was it to open the office between Christmas and New Year?” I grumble as I get dressed.
Rowan laughs. “I’m guessing your brother’s? To be fair, not everyone wants an enforced week off.”
“I was supposed to have the week off.”
He embraces me from behind, resting his cheek against my back while I do my shirt buttons up. “Nigel isn’t home yet?”
“Not that I’m aware of, and one of us needs to be in the office.”
“I’m sorry he ruined your time off.” Rowan releases me, steps beside me, and leans against the tall chest of drawers.
Today’s tie is an almost metallic blue, with white snowflakes in a variety of sizes.
“Actually, I’m not. Because this”—he gestures between us—“wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t swanned off on holiday. ”
“True.” I tuck my shirt into my trousers and then pull him into my arms, kissing him fiercely. “I suppose I should thank him. Except then he’ll be insufferable.”
‘Would that be worth it?”
“You’re worth it.”
He tosses his hair—or tries to, anyway, it’s not long enough to get the full effect, but I still understand what he’s mimicking. “You make me feel like I’m a hair dye commercial.”
I run my fingers through his hair. “I doubt you could get this shade out of a bottle.”
“You probably can, but I don’t. My ginger is all natural.”
I smile and kiss him. “Natural and beautiful.”
He blushes fiercely, the pink glow not quite eclipsing his multitude of freckles.
“Are you sure we have to go to work?”
He shrugs. “You’re the boss. I’m happy to skive off if you promise I won’t get fired.”
I rest my forehead against his and sigh. “I need to go in.”
“Then so do I.”
“Do you? I don’t need to be driven anywhere today, and as far as I know, Nigel is still on holiday.”
“I need to get the roller back to the car park, at the very least. I might need to get it cleaned.” He winks.
“If it needs it, I’ll pay. It shouldn’t come out of your pocket.”
“I dunno… I kind of seduced you.”
I pull him closer. “We kept each other warm. Besides, you didn’t need to seduce me.”
“I didn’t?”
“No. I already wanted you.” I slide my hands to his arse and squeeze.
“And all it took was getting stranded in a snowstorm for you to admit it.” He puts his hand on my chest. “As lovely as this is, we really should go.”
“We should.” And yet I kiss him again, savouring the taste of his lips, and the way his body fits perfectly against mine. I nuzzle his jaw. “Stay here tonight. Let me take you out to dinner. We can pop by yours after work to pick up some more clothes.”
“Gladly. We’ve got to make the most of the Christmas decorations we put up.”
“About those… When can I take them down?”
“Traditionally? Twelfth Night.”
I widen my eyes. “Which is when?”
“The fifth of January.”
My jaw drops.
Rowan sniggers. “No need to look so horrified.”
“You leave your decorations up that long?”
“I do.” He prods me in the chest. “I know some people who put their Christmas tree up for Halloween.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“They toss a sheet over it and call it a Halloween decoration.”
I open and close my mouth a few times. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Nope.”
“Do you do that?”
“No. I’m not that bad. But the moment December rolls around, I’m decorating.”
I shake my head.
“Still want to date me?”
I cup his cheeks and stare into his eyes. “Yes. Because—”
“I’m worth it?” His eyes sparkle with held-back laughter.
“Yes, boy. You’re more than worth it.”
“Good to know.” He grabs my tie and yanks me towards the door. “But we need to get to work, Daddy. Come along. Your carriage awaits.”
I don’t usually get driven to work in a Rolls-Royce.
I do insist on sitting in the passenger seat, rather than in the back.
Traffic is uncharacteristically clear for central London, enabling us to get to the office in record time.
We put the car in its usual spot and then carefully inspect the back seats.
“It doesn’t need cleaning,” I decide.
Rowan sniggers. “We must have been careful.”
“We didn’t actually have sex,” I remind him.
“Umm… I beg to differ. I had very good sex. You are an expert with a dildo, Daddy.”
I put my hands on his hips and kiss his neck. “I’m happy to make you come undone with a dildo whenever you want, boy.”
He shivers. “I’ll hold you to that.”
I hold his hand as we walk from the car park to the office. Abbey is on duty in the lobby reception. At least, she’s sitting behind the desk, painting her nails and singing to Christmas music.
“Morning, Damon. Morning, Rowan.” She does a double-take, widening her eyes as she focuses on our joined hands. “Congrats.”
Rowan beams. “Thanks. Did you have a good Christmas?”
“Pretty good. Do you like my new nail polish?” She shows off her fingers.
Rowan releases my hand so he can go closer to inspect her nails. “That’s a pretty shade of red.”
“It’s called Very Berry.”
“I can see why.”
“Nigel’s here,” Abbey says casually.
I raise my eyebrows. “Nigel?”
“He got here five minutes ago.”
I curl my hand into a fist. He could have told me he was back. Then I could have stayed in bed. Not that Rowan could have stayed with me. I’ll never understand why Nigel makes him come into the office when he’s not needed to drive.
“Thanks for the heads up,” I say.
“You’re welcome.” She carries on painting her nails.
Rowan gives me a questioning look.
I step up to him and thread my fingers through his. “I won’t hide.”
We walk into the lift.
“With all due respect, you’re the co-owner of the company. No one is going to fire you. Me, on the other hand…”
“No one is going to fire you, either. I promise.”
He takes a breath.
“Do you want to keep us a secret?” I ask.
He releases the breath. “No. I want everyone to know that Damon Cole wants me. I just don’t want to look for a new job at this time of year. Besides, your brother’s cars are really nice.”
I chuckle. “They are, aren’t they?”
The lift doors ping open. I keep hold of Rowan’s hand.
The lights are on in the office and the doors are unlocked.
A few members of staff are already here, mostly designers.
One of them, Rubin, waves a hello to Rowan and immediately clocks our joined hands.
He arches an eyebrow and then gives Rowan a thumbs-up.
I’ve noticed them talking often, so I know they’re friends.
“I’m going to check in with Rubin,” Rowan says.
I nod and kiss his cheek, prompting everyone in the office to wolf-whistle and cheer.
“Seems like they’re happy we’re together,” I muse.
“Seems that way.” He returns my kiss, this time on the lips, and then goes to sit opposite Rubin.
I head to Nigel’s office, knock on the door, and go straight in.
My brother is sitting behind the desk, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, which is not even remotely appropriate for the weather. He’s got a slight tan, despite only being away for a few days.
“Damon! Did you have a good Christmas? Thanks for covering for me last week. You’re a star.” He yawns around the last sentence, which is when I notice the bags under his eyes.
I fold my arms and glare at him. “Did you have a good time?”
“Oh, it was great. Sun, surf, and sex. What more could a guy ask for?”
I draw my eyebrows down and scowl.
“Anything I need to catch up on? Any business disasters?”
“No. Everything went smoothly. All the orders got sent out on time.”
“Wonderful! I knew I could rely on you. How was the ball?”
I relax my arms a little. “I didn’t get there.”
He gasps. “What?”
“We got caught in a snowstorm.”
He frowns. “We—?”
“I was with Rowan. Your driver.”
“Oh, yes! Of course. A snowstorm? Is the car okay?”
“The car is fine,” I reply dryly. “And so are we.”
He shudders. “Oh, yes, of course I’m glad that you’re okay. It can’t have been fun for either of you.”
It shouldn’t have been, but it was. I can’t help but smile at the memory of snuggling with Rowan on the back seat and doing a whole lot more.
He must notice my smile, because he asks, “Oh? Is there something I should know?”
“Yeah. I’m dating Rowan.”
“You’re—?” Nigel’s mouth drops open. “Since when?”
“Since the night of the snowstorm. And I don’t intend to stop seeing him.”
“And there I was, thinking you were always Mister Professional.”
“I like him.”
“He is cute.”
I glare at Nigel.
He holds his hands up. “But I don’t fancy him. Like I’d move in on your guy. Hey, I hope you’re happy.”
I relax and smile. “I am.”
Nigel clasps his hands behind his head and leans back in his chair. “I never thought I’d see the day my brother is happy at Christmas. Rowan must be excellent in bed.”
I morph my smile into a glare.
“Sorry, sorry. But seriously, I’m glad you’re happy.”
“I am. But Nigel?”
He stares at me expectantly.
“Never fuck off like that again. It wasn’t fair.”
“It turned out all right, didn’t it? I mean, you got together with Rowan in my absence, so…” He grins. “You have me to thank!”
“No. I don’t.” Except I do, sort of.
“Yes, you do!”
“Maybe,” I concede in a grumbly tone.
“Definitely!”
“Give me a warning next time you’re going away.” I point at him. “I mean it.”
He crosses his fingers over his heart. “You have my word.”
Not that his word tends to mean much.
“Why don’t you both take the day off? My way of saying thank you for covering for me over Christmas,” Nigel says.
I gape at him. “Are you serious?”
“Sure. I don’t need Rowan today. Go and have fun.”
“Thanks, Nigel.”
“You’re welcome.”
I leave his office. Rowan is chatting happily with Rubin. As I get closer, I realise they’re talking about the packaging design Rubin is working on. Rowan is giving him ideas on how to improve the box's overall look.
I put my hand on his hip. “I didn’t know you were into graphic design?”
“I play around sometimes. But my real passion is driving,” Rowan replies.
“So I shouldn’t offer you a job alongside Rubin?”
“Nope. Besides, I’m not that good.”
“He’s downplaying his talent,” Rubin assures me. “He’s really good at drawing.”
“As good as your brother?”
Rubin laughs. “Well, I’m biased, so I’m always going to say my brother is the best artist in the universe, whether it’s true or not.”
“Should we be hiring him?” I ask.
“Nah. He’s a freelance illustrator. He mostly does drawings for children’s books. Working on his own schedule suits him better than a regular nine-to-five.”
“Well, if he’s ever looking for work, tell him to send me his CV. Assuming he’s as good as you say he is.”
“He is,” Rubin and Rowan say simultaneously.
“Nigel has given us the day off,” I say quietly to Rowan.
“He has? Why?”
“As a thank you for covering for him while he went to Hawaii.”
“Hawaii? Wow. He must be so jet-lagged.”
“I’m not sure he was gone long enough to get over the initial jet lag from flying out there.”
Rowan laughs. “Probably not. The day off, huh? Whatever will we do with ourselves?”
“I’m sure we can think of something.”
“I bet we can.”
I nudge him towards the door. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Chat tomorrow?” Rowan asks Rubin.
“You bet. Have fun with the boss.”
“Oh, I will.”
With that, we leave the office, our arms around each other’s waists.